The Miltown Beat Down will end its ten-year run with a "Battle Of Champions" at the Miramar Theater tomorrow night starting at 10pm. Sadness. The night’s headliner, Kid Cut Up, returns home for a special performance and all previous winners will battle in a beat-by-beat showdown for the ultimate MTBD crown, a loaded prize package and one more super secret special surprise.

Jordan “DJ Madhatter” Lee created the event in 2005 to help bridge the hyper-segregated Milwaukee music community. Since then, the city’s landscape has changed with many artists (especially producers, who were often left in the dark) releasing music in a collaborative environment and getting the local and national recognition they deserve. This event is not only a battle, but also a commemoration of how far Milwaukee music has come in the last decade as well as a glimpse into its future. | Nov. 6, 2015»Read Full Blog Post

After two months of preliminary battles, the Miltown Beatdown wraps up this Saturday at the Miramar Theater (2844 N. Oakland Ave) for the final event of its ninth season. The night’s headliner, nationally-known producer and Milwaukee native, Salva, makes his beatdown debut along with Kid Cut Up, who returns for a special performance at the event he DJ'ed until his recent move to LA. And, of course, the eight remaining producers will battle in a beat-by-beat showdown for the 2014 Miltown Beatdown title.

Those eight producers are ediS-B, DMT, Jazzward, CameOne, Mike Regal, Bennie Densmore, Strehlow and Lex Luther. Each week they brought creativity, originality and most of all energy to the Jackalope stage to win their individual rounds and get to the finals. In case you missed any of the battles or our weekly wrap ups, catch up now with the complete recap video below. This has all the prelim rounds merged into one, so you can get a sample of what each producer will bring to the table. | Nov. 6, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

We thought the 7th prelim round of the 2014 MTBD was close, but week 8 proved to be the closest in the history of the event. All four producers came out swinging because after seeing seven weeks of battles go by, it's much easier to plan out what to do. In the end it was Lex Luther who edged out the next closest producer Fooki by only four points. Martie McFly and Somethin' Gunny both fought hard, but it was Lex with his classic style that won over the judges and the crowd. | Nov. 3, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

In one of the closest battles in Miltown Beatdown history, CameOne barely edged out his victory over Mike-A-Knight by only 13 points. Plenty of credit goes to the other producers Mil Yeezy and Coby, who were extremely creative and interesting to watch, especially Coby with his live beat play. Although, in the end Came and Mike were the story of the night with the double sudden death ending that ultimately determined the winner. This was the best night of the year by far. | Oct. 24, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

Last week, the 2014 Miltown Beatdown entered it's sixth round of preliminary battles and all four producers Elete Trax, KT Killin Em, Auggie and Strehlow came with the mindset that they were going to win. They each had the crowd with them at some point in the night, but it came down to Auggie and Strehlow who broke away from the pack, with Strehlow taking the victory with beats that knocked everyone out. | Oct. 17, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

With the halfway point of the 2014 Miltown Beatdown prelim rounds already passed, the producers seems to be in stride and ready with a stronger approach to getting to the finals. This was on full display last week as B-Side, B4Lasers, Drewcifer and Oh James battled for the fifth spot. | Oct. 9, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

The third round of the 2014 Miltown Beatdown featured all veterans trying to reach the finals for the first time. Goodwill, AG, Allerian and Mike Regal each found a way to get the crowd on their side throughout the night, but Mike Regal was too much for everyone else. His energy and creativity (along with a few Mortal Kombat samples) gave him the victory allowing him to move on to the finals Nov. 8 at the Miramar Theatre. | Sept. 24, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

The second round of the 2014 Miltown Beatdown featured the rookies TallMFNTone, JJ Jaber and Velle Beats all vying to take out the veterans Jazzward. They each had a sound of their own that got the crowd excited, but in the end Jazzward edged it out with their bass-heavy-sample-based beats. They move on to the finals Nov. 8 at the Miramar Theatre. | Sept. 17, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

The first of eight preliminary rounds of the 2014 Miltown Beatdown kicked off Thursday night to an energized crowd at the Jackalope Lounj. It's been over a year since the 2013 battles finished and trends in music have changed, so the crowd was ready to see what they had in store. | Sept. 10, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

The 2014 Miltown Beatdown begins next Thursday at the Jackalope Lounj (345 N. Broadway), 32 of Milwaukee's best producers battling to see who will be this year's champion. Each week, four out of the 32 total producers will battle in a round-robin style. This means each producer will have to battle the other three producers in their round one time and whoever scores the highest total points will be declared the winner for the round.

The eight winners will then battle it out at the finals on November 8th at the Miramar Theater. The prelim round start at 9pm and are free, but you need to be 21+ to enter. | Aug. 26, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

Attention everyone, the 2014 Miltown Beatdown is here. The picture above from the 2012 MTBD finals was supposed to get you hype. Beginning in the months of September and October, with the finals on November 8th, the best producers in Milwaukee will battle it out to see who is the champ. More details will come soon, but check out the official promo video below. If you are a producer and think you are the best,, sign up at now at www.miltownbeatdown.com. Registration closes August 23rd.

Yes. This is late. But here is the final recap video from the prelims of the 2013 Miltown Beatdown. All four producers came with it, but 40 Mil stepped his game up and is moving to the finals tonight at Turner Hall with DJ Shadow. You can still get tickets and I suggest you do because this will be a great showcase of Milwaukee talent. Oh yeah, some dude DJ SHADOW will be performing as well. See you there!

After two months of battling at the Jackalope, tons of dope beats, a surprise appearance by Jean Grae & Pharaohe Monch and some Bizzon faces, the finals of the 8th Annual Miltown Beatdown are here. Tomorrow, watch as the eight finalist battle head to head to see who is the best producer in Milwaukee. They'll do this all in front of DJ Shadow, as he headlines the show with Kid Cut Up returning to Milwaukee to perform as well.

Those eight producers are *hitmayng, Pay Dirt Productions, Auggie, Bubba, JazzWard, McThree, Klassik, and 40 Mil. I got my money on all eight of them. Honestly, based on what I've heard from them every week, any one of these producers can win hands down. Although, sound quality will be most important since Turner Hall has a banging system that can hit all the frequencies with ease. | May 2, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Sorry for the delay, but in the sixth week of the 2013 Miltown Beat Down, the two producers McThree and Lex Luther stood out from the start. Filippo Styles and DJ Grandmaster O brought heat, but the other two were in a league of their own.

McThree and Lex each won all their individual battles until the last one of the night where they battled each other. McThree brought his electro-trap beats and Lex had some banging hip hop styles beats. But in the end, McThree barely came through as the winner. Check out the video for the full recap. | April 24, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

In the fifth week of the 2013 Miltown Beat Down, for the first time ever, a certain producer didn't show up but luckily Chris V brought his homie KC to take his place. He joined Jazzward, Cope Spoken and Soul Trak as the four producers for the evening.

After the first battle, it was clear that Jazzward and Cope Spoken were the two stand-outs, but Jazz Ward was just too good and consistent throughout the entire evening so they took the crown. I still have to give props to KC for bringing som heat even as a last second substitute. Check out the video for the full recap. | April 9, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

In the fourth week of the 2013 Miltown Beat Down, all four performers came out the blocks with heat. Could it be it was because Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae and Mr. Len were in the building? Who knows, but B*tchhouse 20/20, Mike Regal, Bubba and D-Ski were all ready to walk out of the building as champion. In the end, it was Bubba who edged out D-Ski in the final battle to take the crown. Check out the video below for all the details.

Get tickets for the finals with DJ Shadow here and make sure you are at the Jackalope Lounj tomorrow night for round five with producers Jazzward, Soul Track, Cope Spoken and Destro.

In the third week of the 2013 Miltown Beat Down, the first rookie champion emerged. Auggie, the 17-year-old underdog, took the crown with his mixture of old and new styles. MTBD veterans James Jaxin and Madden Miles brought some new stuff, and rookie S.D. caught a few most people by surprise, but Auggie was the clear favorite. Check out the video below for all the details.

Get tickets for the finals with DJ Shadow here and make sure you are at the Jackalope Lounj tomorrow night for round four with producers D-Ski, Mike Regal Bubba and B*tch House 20/20.

The 2013 Miltown Beatdown continued last Wednesday and from the start, we all knew we were in for a strong battle all night. Pay Dirt Productions, James, Dece, Beat Houzing Group and Mike-A-Knight all came with beats that could have won any other night of the battle. But in the end, Pay Dirt Productions (the team of White Russian,Ricanstructka, Amiracle & Ivory) edged out James Dece in the final battle to take the crown for the evening. They move on to the finals Friday, May 3rd, with special guest DJ Shadow (get tickets here).

The 2013 Miltown Beatdown kicked off last Wednesday to an energized crowd at the Jackalope. Even though it's only been a few months since Came One took the 2012 title, the crowd was excited to hear what this batch of producers had up their sleeves.

Hitmayng, Mammyth, Oh James and DJ Syquest all came with some dope beats, but Hitmayng was the winner for the evening. He moves on to the finals Friday, May 3rd, with special guest DJ Shadow (get tickets here). Check out the video below for all the details.

The 2013 Miltown Beatdown is finally here and the preliminary rounds will be held on every Wednesday night in March and April. Each week four producers will battle round-robin style (they each battle one another once, for a total of six battle per night). Whoever has the most points after all the battles are over will be declared the winner of the night. All eight winners will battle at the finals Friday, May 3rd at Turner Hall with special guest DJ Shadow.

Each individual battle will consist of two producers having to play three beats back and forth to see who is the best. They get 60 seconds to play an original beat and are judged by both the audience, and a panel of judges. Scores are based on crowd reaction, sound quality and creativity. | March 5, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Winner of Vocalo Radio’s 2013 “Quest For The Best DJ” battle, DJ Bizzon’s creative turntablism skills, original production and hands-on style has made him one of the Midwest’s most sought-after DJs. He has opened for or performed with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Baauer, Mac Miller, Questlove, Naughty By Nature, People Under The Stairs and DJ Abilities. Read more

Meet Jank

Damon “Jank” Joy doesn’t believe in bios. He doesn’t believe in much in this world but his own infallible opinion, an opinion he hopes will lead you toward the light — the light being hip hop. Jank is a retired deejay and co-host of the popular WMSE radio show, “Those Hip-Hop Guys,” along with the lanky fellow in the photo above his. Read more

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